What
The premier equestrian event in the Carolinas and home to one of the richest grand prix events in the United States, the Charlotte Jumper Classic is a three-day Grand Prix competition featuring 10 classes of intense competition where some of the best riders in the world compete for $585,000 in overall prize money. The Charlotte Jumper Classic is an American Grand Prix Association event, FEI sanctioned, CSI 5* show.
Charlotte Jumper Classic riders jump an obstacle course of between 15-20 fences set on a twisting, turning course with the goal of not dropping a rail or falling off the horse. Timing is also critical in order to qualify for the jump-off round, the sport's version of sudden death overtime. In the jump off, speed and accuracy are of the essence. The rider with the fastest time and the fewest jumping faults is declared the winner.
Where
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
When
April 10-12, 2009
Friday, April 10
7:00 p.m. - $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Competition
8:00 p.m. - $25,000 Charlotte Welcome Stake
Saturday, April 11
1:30 p.m. - $15,000 International Competition; $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Accumulator
7:00 p.m. - $15,000 Accumulator Competition; $25,000 Puissance Competition
Sunday, April 12 - 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - $35,000 Charlotte Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic; The $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte for the Charlotte Bobcats Cup
How
The starting order, or line-up for each event, is determined in a drawing before the class so that each rider has an equal chance of attaining a favorable position. Riders near the end of the starting order have the advantage of seeing how the first riders complete the course.
Rider's preview their upcoming rides in advance by walking the line they intend to ride. This is the only time the riders get to look at the course. The horse sees the course only when they enter the ring to compete.
Each rider knows the length of his horse's stride, and walks the course accordingly (roughly 12 to 14 human paces equals one canter stride of a horse). The riders pace off the distance between fences and determine how best to adjust this to their own horse's strides. Riders also take note of the different types of fences offered, their relationship to one another, the course footing and any other potential problem areas and regulate the horses stride accordingly. Furthermore, they try to find where a tighter line can save vital time when jumping against the clock. The rider's job is to guide his horse to each fence in a controlled and balanced manner, so that the horse may jump easily and land galloping onto the next fence without having to regain balance or break stride.
Why
The Charlotte Jumper Classic, April 10-12, 2009, is the perfect opportunity to spotlight your business, target your consumers and help children in the Charlotte community. This signature fundraising event for the Bobcats Youth Foundation focuses on improving the lives of children and youth in the community. The upcoming 2009 Charlotte Jumper Classic will benefit the Bobcats Youth Foundation’s signature initiatives – building reading and technology centers and supporting the Presbyterian Hospital Community Care Cruiser, a mobile health clinic providing needed healthcare to disadvantaged children.
Highlights
• Rider hospitality area providing complimentary food and beverage will be located in the Backcourt Lounge
• Expanded competition ring
• Well appointed stabling area and schooling ring
• Live broadcast of competition inside schooling ring area
• Show Net will be in use
• Live Webcast of all competition available from Productions East
• Great entertainment
• Wide array of vendors
• Host hotel within walking distance of the Time Warner Cable Arena
• The $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte will be televised
• $585,000 in overall prize money
VIP Seating
VIP Seating is available to sponsors and donors and includes Front Court hospitality.
Parking
There are more than 30,000 available parking spaces within walking distance of the arena. Additional parking details can be obtained by by visiting timewarnercablearena.com. Prices range from $7-15 per day.
Directions
I-77 from the South - Exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street
I-77 from the North - Exit at either Brookshire Freeway (I-277 East), 5th Street, Trade Street or John Belk Freeway (I-277)
I-85 from the South - Exit at the Billy Graham Parkway, take the Billy Graham Parkway to I-77 North, exit at either I-277 North or Trade Street
I-85 from the North - Exit at the I-77 exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street
Inside the City:
Brookshire Freeway (I-277) from the West - Exit at either I-77 South or Brevard Street. NC49/US29 from the Northeast - Follow Tryon Street to Uptown, Time Warner Cable Arena is one block east of the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets
Airport - Follow Josh Birmingham Parkway 1.4 miles to Billy Graham Parkway South. Proceed on Billy Graham Parkway to I-77 North. Exit at either John Belk Freeway (I-277) or Trade Street
Hotels
Host Hotel:
Marriott Charlotte City Center
100 West Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202 (.2mi away)
1-800-228-9290 or 704-358-6579
*Ask for Charlotte Jumper Classic rate*
www.marriott.com
Additional Nearby Hotels:
Holiday Inn Charlotte, Center City, 230 N. College St., 704-335-5400 (.1mi away)
*Fans attending the Charlotte Jumper Classic receive a rate of $79/night*
Hilton Charlotte, 222 East Third St. 704-377-1500 (.2mi away)
Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Uptown, 530 E. Second St., 704-333-9213 (.3mi away)
AmeriSuites Coliseum, 4119 South Stream Blvd, 704-357-8555
Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum Centre Drive, 704-357-1414
Sleep Inn Coliseum, 701 Yorkmont Road, 704-525-5005
Wyndham Garden Hotel, 2600 Yorkmont Road, 704-357-9100
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-688-8790
Media Contacts:
Michael Thompson
Director of Corporate Communications, Time Warner Cable Arena
Tel: 704-688-8856
E-mail: mthompson@bobcats.com
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
13833 Wellington Trace
Unit E-4 #221
Wellington, FL 33414
Tel: 561-753-3389
Fax: 561-753-3386
E-mail: pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
Web site: www.phelpsmediagroup.com
Other
For more information, please visit timewarnercablearena.com.